Retail Retold

Kyle Inserra currently works as Associate at CBRE specializing in restaurant brokerage but he didn’t take the traditional path to become one.

After studying Business Administration at Franklin & Marshall College, he attended the prestigious French Culinary Institute now known as International Culinary Institute. He spent 15 years as Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager working in the New York City, Hoboken and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coming back to New York from U.S Virgin Island, he opened his former restaurant, Polpettina in 2009. Originally a deli store with just 10 seats, Kyle describes how he turned this place into a widely successful restaurant in Southern Westchester.

In today’s episode, Kyle shares rookie mistakes he has made in the earlier years of running Polpettina and how he turned these hard lessons learned into valuable experiences.

From tricky zoning permits to the importance of picking the right business partner, his story describes challenges that would be helpful for any first-time restaurant owners.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are skyrocketing in popularity — the shopping experience is convenient. But the downside is that you have to buy the product untouched and unseen. 

That's where pop-up stores come in. Not only these stores present consumers with the elements of fresh feel, exclusivity, and surprise, they give DTC and digitally native brands the opportunity to interact with their consumers and showcase their products - in person. 

No wonder there are more pop-up stores popping up everywhere. 

On today’s show, Chris talks to Melissa Gonzalez, retail strategist and CEO of The Lionesque Group. Since 2009, The Lionesque Group has worked with leading and emerging brands to open more than 150 brick and mortar locations. Their impressive client list includes Nordstrom Local, Madison Reed, Sally Hansen, Purple, Amazon Video and many more. 

Melissa dives deep into how pop-up stores are developed in a variety of shapes and how digitally native and DTC brands decide on their brick-and-mortar locations. Melissa shares her story of working with Purple (the world's first comfort tech company selling mattresses and pillows) to find their pop-up stores.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out Melissa’s new book, The Pop Up Paradigm: How Brands Build Human Connections in a Digital Age!

In today’s episode Chris sits down with Jayson Siano, CEO of SABRE Real Estate and the Founder of b.creative and FitWell Advisors. Jayson is a renaissance man in the industry responsible for the expansion of many brands into the NY Metro market including Starbucks, Orange Theory Fitness, Chipotle, City MD and SolidCore. In this episode you’ll learn why patience is key as they discuss the story of Massage Envy at Lake Success Shopping Center in New Hyde Park, NY and other stories from Jayson’s past. Jayson also touches on the importance of differentiating your business and how consumers are shaping the future of retail real estate and other trends in the CRE world. 

Jayson Siano    /    Website: sabre.life    / Social: Instagram – JaysonSiano

LinkedIn’s top retail influencer, author of three books, internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, and motivational business speaker?

Yes, we’re talking about just one person. Impressive, right?

Bob Phibbs, aka the Retail Doctor, joins us on today’s jam-packed show.

In this episode, you’ll learn why it’s so critical for retailers to create an emotional connection between their brands and customers, and how improving soft skills of the frontline store staff can improve customer experiences, ultimately driving revenues up.

Also, stick around to hear Bob’s WILD story on opening a Howard and Phil’s Western Wear store in Pasadena, CA in just TWO days!

This is a great episode with a true retail rock star who has seen and experienced the ups and downs of the retail industry over the last 30 years.

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Real Talk Series #1 with Steve Dennis

A decade ago, you could get away with being average in retail because consumers back then didn’t have the same kind of resources and information we have these days. Since the emergence of digital disruptions, everything has changed. There is no room for average, boring retail anymore. Steve Dennis, who has more than 30 years of experience in retail as a senior executive at Fortune 500 retail companies and now a strategy consultant, talks why consumers now demand Remarkable Retail and how to create it. Steve says retail must also be personal. No customer wants to be average, and no customer has to be. That said, how do we define a memorable retail experience? How can retailers create relevant, authentic, and impactful experiences for their customers? Find out now! Join Chris as he talks with Steve about the essentials for remarkable retail and his new book.

In the summer of 2008, John Tucker approached Marc Miles and Seth Hirschel with a business plan to open a healthy fast-casual Mexican restaurant that was absent in the Westchester County, New York. They founded Salsa Fresca shortly after, opening its first restaurant in Millerton, N.Y., with an open kitchen concept while using fresh, quality ingredients. Fast forward, Salsa Fresca now has 10 locations in New York and Connecticut and plans to expand nationally.

In today’s conversation with Seth Hirschel, one of Salsa Fresca’s founders and Chief Development Officer, Seth shares what he has learned from building Salsa Fresca and how the whole narrative on the fast-casual is changing.

New Jersey is notorious for its restrictive laws governing who can sell alcohol. Those laws limit the supply of licenses based on population - one liquor license per 5,000 residents. Because of such restrictions, many liquor licenses in New Jersey are bought from existing license holders. In places where demand is high, licenses can sell for $1million or more – if they are available at all. 

Despite this restrictive business landscape, Liquor Factory has paved its way to becoming a staple in New Jersey with six different locations. On today’s show, Matt Tobin of Liquor Factory dives deep into what is like running a successful family business. Plus, he gives great and practical tips on opening a liquor store in New Jersey. 

In this episode, we cover these FAQs: